What Is Clothing?

Clothes or clothing are the collective terms used to describe the different types of materials worn on the body. It is a human characteristic to protect our bodies from cold, rain and otherclimatechange or weather conditions.

Early humans, who lived two million years ago used to cover and protect their bodies by wrapping tree leaves, woven grass or tree barks, bones, skull and the skin of dead animals, etc.

According to Anthropologists, there is no information about when humans started using clothes. However, some records say that humans started wearing clothes about one million years ago. Neanderthals, subspecies of archaic humans and the distinct genus hom*o, are an extinct species who lived in the countries of Eurasia from circa 400,000 until 40,000 years ago and were the first humans to wear clothes. The idea of sewing clothes originated from these Neanderthals, as they used to sew animal skin.

A Clothing History

As time passed, clothing changed. According to history, clothes changed along with culture, fashion and wealth. Extraction of fabrics and waving textiles were first started in the Middle East during the late Stone Age.

Wearing fabric clothes began from 100,000 to 500,000 years ago.
Knitting was first introduced as a fabric creation technique, dating 6500 BC, which is even popular in today’s fabrics.

Also read:FIBRE

The first material used for clothing is the natural fibres obtained from both plants and animal sources. These include cotton, flax, wool, leather, silk, etc.

The first plant fibres used for extracting fibres are from flax seeds. Flax fibres are 36,000 years old. China was the first country to start silk production, which was between 5000 and 3000 BC, where silk was extracted from the cocoon of the domesticated silkworm and weaved.

The evolution of clothing and textiles from the animal’s skin and plant materials is vast and colourful. Along with different cultures, different varieties of clothes appeared. Different types of fibres have their history.

Cotton was cultivated in Pakistan about 3,000 BC. Wool was being woven about 4,000 BC in Egypt. Nylon, an artificial fibre was invented in the year 1935, and was used as a replacement for silk.

Frequently Asked Questions on History of Clothing Material

What is the difference between fibre and fabric?

Fibre is the strand which is used to produce the yarn. The yarns are then weaved or knitted into a network and it is called fabric.

What type of clothing is suitable for summer?

Clothes made of cotton are suitable for summer as they absorb the sweat and help its evaporation.

Which colour of clothing suits differentseasons?

Light colour clothes reflect sunlight and they have to be worn during summer. Dark and black coloured clothes absorb radiation and they have to be used during winter.

Greetings! I'm thrilled to delve into the fascinating world of clothing with you. My expertise in textiles and fashion history allows me to provide a comprehensive overview of the concepts covered in the article you shared.

Let's start by acknowledging the historical aspect. The roots of clothing trace back to early humans, around two million years ago. These resourceful beings ingeniously utilized materials like tree leaves, woven grass, tree barks, bones, skulls, and animal skins for protection against the elements. Neanderthals, who lived around 400,000 to 40,000 years ago, are credited as the first humans to don clothing, introducing the art of sewing animal skins.

As time progressed, clothing evolved in tandem with culture, fashion, and wealth. The Middle East saw the initiation of fabric extraction and textile weaving during the late Stone Age. Fabric clothing itself has a rich history, dating back 100,000 to 500,000 years. Knitting, a technique that persists to this day, emerged around 6500 BC.

Moving on to materials, the initial fabrics were derived from natural fibers sourced from both plants and animals. Notable examples include cotton, flax, wool, leather, and silk. Flax fibers, used for clothing, have a history dating back 36,000 years. China pioneered silk production between 5000 and 3000 BC, extracting it from domesticated silkworm cocoons.

The diversity in clothing materials continued to expand across different cultures. Cotton cultivation commenced in Pakistan around 3,000 BC, while wool weaving took place in Egypt around 4,000 BC. The 20th century brought about the invention of nylon, an artificial fiber developed in 1935 as a silk substitute.

This brief journey through the history of clothing materials only scratches the surface. If you're eager to delve deeper into topics such as fiber, yarn, fabrics, and more, I recommend staying tuned with BYJU’S Biology.

Now, onto the frequently asked questions provided in the article:

Q1: What is the difference between fiber and fabric?
- A1: Fiber refers to the individual strand used to produce yarn. Yarns are then woven or knitted into a network, collectively known as fabric.
Q2: What type of clothing is suitable for summer?
- A2: Clothes made of cotton are ideal for summer as they absorb sweat and facilitate evaporation.
Q3: Which color of clothing suits different seasons?
- A3: Light-colored clothes, reflecting sunlight, are suitable for summer, while dark and black-colored clothes, absorbing radiation, are recommended for winter.

Feel free to explore any specific aspect further or ask additional questions—I'm here to unravel the depths of the textile world for you!